March 18, 2003
Police Bureau Policy on Antiwar Protests
Presented below is the full text of the Portland Police Bureau policy regarding the forthcoming protests planned for after the start of the war on Iraq, followed by some additional comments. The policy was distributed at this afternoon's press conference at City Hall, about which there will be more here later.
ANTI-WAR PROTEST THE DAY THE WAR BEGINS
The Portland Police Bureau is aware of a protest planned for Terry Schrunk Park at 4:00 pm on the day a war in Iraq begins (or the next day if hostilities begin after 4:00 pm).
Participants in the protest should be aware that there is not City-issued permit for the gathering in the park or a march on city streets and sidewalks.
A lack of permit not with standing [sic], the Portland Police Bureau stands ready to work with leaders in the crowd to ensure the free speech rights of participants and their smooth movement through City surface streets and sidewalks. [emphasis in original]
This spirit has pervaded the parge and successful rally/marches organized conducted [sic] on October 5, November 17, and January 18.
Because there is no date and route information, we can expect that the impact on downtown traffic will be substantial. It is likely that some motorists may become frustrated, confused, or frightened especially those who may feel trapped within the crowd.
The Portland Police Bureau is concerned about individuals within the crowd who might attempt the following:
• Prolonged blockage of motorways with the stated or implied intent to disrupt the free movement of others
• Significant property damage (beyond chalking)
• Physical harassment or assaults of persons within the crowd, bystanders, and police officers.
The Police Bureau may make arrests and/or use crowd control dispersal measures to deal with the problem behaviors listed above. [emphasis in original]
We recognize that the vast majority of individuals within the crowd simply want to express themselves in a non-violent manner. We ask that people be very aware of what is occurring around them in order to make good decisions.
One would hope that this last piece of advice is also part of whatever instructions or training is being given to Portland Police Bureau officers. My greatest concern at the moment is that if officers encounter an act of civil disobedience, they will go in with a presumption of conflict and resistance -- meaning that even peaceful protestors engaged in civil disobedience who are prepared to simply go limp and be carried off by officers will be presumed to be potential resistors and treated to batons and peppersprays.
While some of those holding the press conference made some distinction between peaceful protest (on the one hand) and confrontational or violent resistance (on the other hand), it appeared to be the case that sit-ins, traffic tie-ups, or attempts at bridge closures would inherently be treated as confrontational situations.
What appeared lost on the Mayor and Chief Kroeker was the simple fact that while all civil disobedience is predicated upon breaking a law, some such action is fully intended to be peaceful resistance, without an intent towards violence or conflict.
In the end, it simply remains to be seen whether there will be an active operational distinction between the two likely forms of protest.